Born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA, Milissa is PhD-educated in Early Modern European History as well as various subfield specializations: early modern philosophy, American colonial history, and history of science. She holds honors undergraduate degrees in economics and nursing; is an Honors Scholar at Large in the University of North Carolina system; is a classical flautist; and moreover is a journeyman woodturner, having complete a formal seven years’ apprenticeship. Aside from teaching and writing, Milissa has worked in the fiberarts since 1994, and in woodturning since 2009. She is internationally recognized for her specialty work in handtools for fiberartists, particularly her signature tapestry bobbins. She also is recognized for her accomplishments as a competitive spinner: in 2017, Milissa placed second overall among independent (“rogue”) spinners and fifth overall in all categories in the international spinning competition, Spinzilla. She was one of only two spinners to ever place in the overall category, and the only competitive spinner to ever place using only antique equipment. . She was one of only two spinners to ever place in the overall category, and the only competitive spinner to ever place using only antique equipment.
